Latest Volo Auto Museum is rare 'Fast & Furious' find

VOLO — The bright green Mitsubishi Eclipse. A howling Dodge Charger R/T with awe-inspiring blown Hemi engine protruding from the hood. The Yenko Camaro, Hemi Dodge Challenger and Nissan Skyline GT-R R34. All of these and more have graced the Volo Auto Museum. So it’s no surprise that one of the museum’s most recent acquisitions is another from the uber-popular “Fast & Furious” film franchise. What is exceptionally rare, though, is to acquire one from a film not yet released, said Brian Grams, director of the museum at 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. This one might not be as shiny and sleek as the others. But when it became available and its documentation backed its place in what is sure to be an historic film, Grams bought the 1982 Land Rover, blemishes and all (special-effects crews “scorched and charred” the car to make it look as though it’s been through an explosion). “The car is screen-used in ‘Fast & Furious 7,’ which is anticipated for 2015 release,” Grams said. “It’s rare to be able to buy a car from a film that’s still in production, and from a film that has such a tragic backstory.” Leading actor Paul Walker died Nov. 30 in a fiery car crash in California while the cast and crew were on Thanksgiving break. Walker was 40. The 1982 Land Rover arrived mid-month and is on display now, alongside a “Dark Knight” semi tractor-trailer exhibit that pays homage to Heath Ledger, Grams said. “Like all ‘Fast & Furious’ fans, we were devastated by the news of Walker’s passing,” Grams said. “We plan to honor his work with this limited-time exhibit.” The Volo Auto Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and features hundreds of antique, classic and Hollywood cars, as well as military equipment, weaponry, uniforms and more. For other information, visit volocars.com, call (815) 385-3644, or find the Volo Auto Museum on Facebook. ###